章 32: C32 - Triumphant Return

The next day, we traveled via carriage to the port. We boarded the Stormbreaker, the ship from our first trip to the island. Instead of traveling in the captain's cabin we traveled in the lower decks. As the only noble among Fazio, Selahe, Mona, and myself. Obviously, as a baby they assumed I didn't care about my accommodations. Which didn't bother me. After living aboard the cramped ships of the space navy most of this was comfortable compared to my old life.

The journey across the ocean was uneventful but incredibly long. The conversation during the journey revolved around the events in the capital.

Mona asked, "Sir, why did we need to use magic to travel to the capital? Couldn't we have just rode there by carriage?"

Selahe replied with a nod, "We could have, but it would have taken almost the entire season. Gravden is almost 1400 kilometers north of our duchy."

Fazio said, "Selahe, my mother and I haven't traveled much, so could you explain how long is a kilometer?"

Selahe chuckled and said, "You're forgiven. I'll grab a map from the captain as it'll be easier to explain." The goatman stood and walked up to the deck. I was incredibly interested; I kept hearing about places but didn't have any context of where these things were. Fazio and Mona were equally interested in the map.

Fazio said, "I've never seen a map before!"

Mona replied, "They're very expensive. The one Selahe is bringing probably cost more than our yearly salaries put together." Fazio whistled in astonishment. This was not news to me; however, technology of this level would require painstakingly measuring everything by hand and copying everything by hand from map to map. Returning a few minutes later with a roll of parchment. He unrolled the map on the table before us.

(AN: Check comments for image.)

The parchment map was folded and part of it was cut off. But it did show most of the continent that the kingdom was on.

Selahe explained, "This is Oyaluria and the big players; the Loresians and Strennians. The Calo Duchy is a large province but not the largest; nor the most populated. Those titles are held by the Vidian and Antano Duchy respectively. So we're second in both regards."

He pointed to the red line running the western length of the kingdom and continued, "Now, if we were to travel along this road; it's called the Great Western Road. It was built after the five duchies were conquered many hundreds of years ago."

Fazio and Mona sat enraptured by this impromptu geography and history lesson; as did I. I wish I had this map earlier when people were talking about my grandfather in the Nestad County. He cared so much about movements of the Strennians, because his province was the only one to share a border with that empire.

Selahe continued, indicating the island closest to the Calo Duchy, "This is the island of Sampagnanoli, where we're headed. The distance to Calo City is a mere 110 kilometers, yet it takes this ship almost seven bells to arrive." Fazio and Mona pondered this explanation, though they seemed unconvinced.

Fazio queried, "If it takes a whole day to go 110 kilometers, wouldn't it only take a handful of days to travel north?"

Selahe shook his head and said, "This ship can travel in a straight line, directly from Calo City to Sampagnanoli. The Great Western Road is full of twists and turns; not to mention, this ship can travel at night. It's not advisable to travel at night via carriage" Mona nodded at the explanation, seemingly satisfied.

I was hypnotized by the map. I studied every detail. I surmised that Loresia must be neutral between Oyaluria and Strennia, because incredibly long borders like those are hard to defend. The mountains northeast of the Antano Duchy must be why everyone is suspicious of their relationship with the empire. They would have the least to lose in a war with the Strennians. Strennia would have to conquer huge swaths of land around the mountainous Wastes Region to be within spitting distance of Antano. I also understand what my parents were saying to the ambassador. Trade from across the sea would come to our ports then travel northeast to Loresia. Before I could finish studying the map, Selahe rolled it up to return it to the captain. I especially wanted to look at the part that was cut off but I would have to save it for another time.

Before Selahe could leave however, Fazio asked an additional question, "I've heard talk about a Great Tunnel, was that on the map?"

Selahe replied, "It was on there. It's hard to see because this map is meant for sea captains. The tunnel stretches under the Wastes to connect southern Loresia with the western part of my homeland, Malidia. Loresia and Malidia together with the Waster folk jointly run the underground cities. Pase, which I'm sure you've also heard of, is one of those cities."

It was well after dark when we arrived at the island. We exited the port via carriage and traveled through the city. The horrible sewer-fish smell assaulted my nose on the way through the town. Eventually, we were winding our way up the hill towards our island villa. Selahe was explaining to Fazio and Mona that this house would be our home for the next eleven years. Then I would be old enough to attend the academy.

I felt the wave of the villa barrier sweep over us. I was dying to advance my mana sense to understand more about the barriers of the world and the other high-tier spells like gate. I also wondered if we could summon matter at will what they used for currency. In RPGs in my old life, we used gold as money. But if I could potentially conjure gold, wouldn't that affect the rarity and therefore it's use as a currency?

My crib had already been moved to share a room with Fazio. Exhausted from the long ship ride, we skipped our usual dagger play session tonight. I laid in my crib, very excited about the future to come. I knew that with more freedom I could level up and rank up my skills more and more. I fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.